First Known Use: 1793
Dictionary
espionage
noun es·pi·o·nage \ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh, -ˌnäj, -nij, Canada also -ˌnazh; ˌes-pē-ə-ˈnäzh; is-ˈpē-ə-nij\
: the things that are done to find out secrets from enemies or competitors : the activity of spying
Full Definition of ESPIONAGE
: the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government or a competing company <industrial espionage>
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Origin of ESPIONAGE
French espionnage, from Middle French, from espionner to spy, from espion spy, from Old Italian spione, from spia, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German spehōn to spy — more at spy
Related to ESPIONAGE
- Synonyms
- spying
Other Government and Politics Terms
ESPIONAGE Defined for Kids
espionage
noun es·pi·o·nage \ˈe-spē-ə-ˌnäzh\
Definition of ESPIONAGE for Kids
: the practice of spying : the use of spies
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